The IIHF has imposed another sanction on the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, this time removing the 2023 World Championship from St. Petersburg. The event will be held at a different location, one that will be confirmed next month at the IIHF Annual Congress in Finland, during the final week of this year’s tournament.
In a press release, they explained:
The decision to relocate the event was taken primarily out of concern for the safety and well-being of all participating players, officials, media, and fans. As was the case with Council’s earlier decision to withdraw the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship that was to be held in Omsk and Novosibirsk, Russia, the Council expressed significant concerns over the safe freedom of movement of players and officials to, from, and within Russia.
The IIHF has now imposed several negative measures on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, including the removal of the Russian and Belarusian teams from several international tournaments altogether. The 2023 World Juniors had already been withdrawn from the country.
Originally scheduled for St. Petersberg from May 5-21, the 2023 event will now have a new home. As Gord Miller of TSN tweets, the city had built a new rink that was meant to be the “centerpiece” of the 2023 championship.